The Knesset passed a resolution on Tuesday demanding that the government make the US release of Pollard a condition for Israel's freeing of Palestinian prisoners.

It also called on the government to demand that the US immediately release Pollard on humanitarian grounds because of his long prison service and his deteriorating health.

The resolution, drafted by the National Union, Shas and National Religious Party, noted that Israel has recognized Pollard as an Israeli agent who acted loyally for the security of its citizens.

Yitzhak Levy (NRP) said Israel was being asked by the US to make gestures to the Palestinians. The PA's first demand is to release prisoners, he said. But he said there was "one Jewish prisoner rotting in jail," and the "friendly superpower that is asking us to give mercy to terrorists here is not willing to give us the same mercy."

Levy called on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to "show the same kind of courage" he has displayed on his plan to evacuate "Jews and settlements," and to "not release a single prisoner until Pollard is in Israel."

MK Eliezer Cohen (National Union) said that Pollard had provided Israel with strategic information that it should have in any case received from the US within the framework of its alliance. "Why did Pollard have to send [the information]," Cohen said. According to Cohen, Israel transfers to the US similar information. "The Americans hands are not clean here," he said.

MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union) said the US was spying on Israel "24 hours a day," and an Israeli maneuver planned in the Mediterranean sea had to be canceled last week because of the presence of US spy planes. He said Israel was keeping its commitment not to spy on the US. "It is true they are big and we are dependent on them, but there is a limit to how much we have to tolerate," he said.

Eldad said Pollard must be released immediately. "It is not too late. The man is alive, although rotting in jail," he said.

This is the second time in a week Isreal has really pi$$ed me off. The first being the news that Israel is a major arms supplier to China. Friend or foe, you spy on our country, you deal with the consequences. What makes this piece of $hit so special that he deserves to be released? Because he's Jewish? Sorry, not good enough.

Congress should pass a resolution freezing all U.S. aid to Israel until the Knesset resolution is overturned, and every member of the Knesset travels to Washington, stands on the Mall, and "bends over and kisses his/her own arse."

10
posted on 03/17/2005 9:00:09 AM PST
by Alberta's Child
(I ain't got a dime, but what I got is mine. I ain't rich, but lord I'm free.)

The Security Research Center maintains an unclassified espionage case database in order to gain a better understanding of the crime of espionage. Much is known about individual espionage cases from detailed investigative reports after the arrest. But it is difficult to make sound generalizations about this type of behavior without data on a wide range of variables for many cases.

The SRC database includes information on all Americans arrested and convicted of espionage against the U.S. since World War II. It contains information on over 100 variables for 148 cases from 1945 to through 1998. It is based only on media reports, trial records, and other unclassified documents so information on quite a few cases is incomplete. 1

Why Pollard? What about the others? Many of them were US citizens. Nobody was punished as severely as Pollard.

24
posted on 03/17/2005 10:38:12 AM PST
by Mi-kha-el
((There is no Pravda in Izvestiya and no Izvestiya in Pravda.))

The Knesset did not DEMAND anything of the US. It address the Israeli government to work with the US government towards releasing the guy. The US, on the other hand, often demand stuff of Israel. Stuff like, Mr. Sharon, pull down that wall, show restraint, provide contiguous Palestinian state, etc., etc. Does it mean America is not a friend?

28
posted on 03/17/2005 10:44:24 AM PST
by Mi-kha-el
((There is no Pravda in Izvestiya and no Izvestiya in Pravda.))

Israel is in no position to demand anything of the US. What I don't understand is whenever Pollards name is brought up, people here start poring buckets of dirt on Israel. It hurts much considering the respect and admiration the people of Israel feel towards the US. Saw it with my own eyes, feel it myself.

31
posted on 03/17/2005 11:19:24 AM PST
by Mi-kha-el
((There is no Pravda in Izvestiya and no Izvestiya in Pravda.))

When you have been on this site as long as I have, you'll see dirt poured on virtually every group, country, religion, state, you name it. I want you to know that I have NO animosity toward Israel, in fact I have much respect for it. What I have no patience for are politicians (or journalists) who speak without having their brains engaged. There are many on this board with the same malady.

I'm sure you can agree that there is much of this going on on this board and in our respective ( my assumption you are Israeli) governmental bodies.

I don't believe that responsible Govt. officials of the US have ever "demanded" Israel do something. If they have, I hold them is as much disdain as any other who would demand of a friend.

32
posted on 03/17/2005 11:59:46 AM PST
by MarketR
("We are pioneers of the world; the advance-guard, sent on through the wilderness of untried things")

Fair enough. I may be mistaken, but it seems to me that no matter what and all the bumps and rough patches notwithstanding, there are no two nations in the world right now closer to each other than US and Israel (for various reasons). It may change overtime, depending on the demographics and politics, but as of today it is true, IMHO. Others may disagree. Then I would like them to mention another nation where, not the government, but the populace would be more friendly towards the US than US. Israel, though, is too much preoccupied with sheer survival, both short and long term.

33
posted on 03/17/2005 1:00:19 PM PST
by Mi-kha-el
((There is no Pravda in Izvestiya and no Izvestiya in Pravda.))

Then why in God's name your country is your country financing the Chinese defence industry to the point of $300 bln annual by buying their products. Can you please clean your house first. If Israel is selling weapons to China, it's the government, and they are idiots. I was talking about people. And why in God's name your country is selling weapons to muslim countires?

36
posted on 03/17/2005 3:42:25 PM PST
by Mi-kha-el
((There is no Pravda in Izvestiya and no Izvestiya in Pravda.))

You have the flipping nerve to equate our buying consumer goods from the Chinese as subsidization of their defense industry? And then you go further and say well, Israel selling arms to the Chinese and the US consumer appetite are morally equivalent? Are you brain damaged?

I too believe most of our traitors are punished far to leniently. Ames and others deserve the death penalty imo. I'm not saying Pollard does.

What's worked against Isreal in getting this guy back is their near yearly preoccupation with his release. If they hadn't tried to deal honestly with clinton as they've done with all our presidents, and instead waited until year 8 and tossed his brother or some other surrogate a little bit of cash, Pollard would be living free in Isreal today. Sad but true.

Don't assume that trade with the arab states is anything more than our thirst for oil. If you guys had kept the Sinai, we'd be buying oil from you too.

What gets many started on this thread is simply, that, as long as America has to do most of the heavy lifting on this planet, we make demands, not the other way around. And its not like Isreal is going to do anything that doesn't ultimately support her survival, regardless of what demands America or the world make upon her. Though you've got to admit, when it comes to U.N. stupidity, we are the only ones who stand consistantly with you, and you with us. For that we are truly grateful.

Personally, I think you've been far to soft on dealing with your local terroists. I'd support a statement of policy of forced removal of all peoples in targeted areas and a constant real, un-negotiable, movement of Isreal's borders as a retalitory policy against palistinian mass murder. You can start with Jerusalem and then move on to areas of biblical significance so that real tourist industries can be formed there and we can feel safe visiting. Your problem has gone on nearly as long as Korea. You need to force a solution, it can't be negotiated with people who'll only accept your destruction.

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